Morning Comrades. Jenny Holzer’s infamous statement has been at the forefront of my mind these last few days, not necessarily in a positive way. In particular, I am referring to the repetitive “outrage” witnessed over the last few days from all corners of the political spectrum. Granted, I care relatively little about the “facts don’t care about your feelings” idiots, and this is thus aimed more at “us”. I do wonder how many more examples we need to acknowledge that we exist in a top/down violent system in which we loose. The abuse of power, by those in power, surely, by this point should be clear. Ignoring all history books and just focusing on the last 18 months alone should make the abuse of power clear, yet, we remain in the ever repeating cycle of faux-moral outrage. I don’t have to illustrate what I mean, I’d wager you all know what I am talking about. At what point does analysis lead to action? What else are we waiting for? Further proof that WE mean absolutely nothing to the 1%? This isn’t so much an attack but rather a genuine question. I deal with this question daily for my PhD work, and can give ample answers outside of the Global North West, but not here. Give it a thought and I would genuinely appreciate some your insight here.
There remains heaps to talk about today, so your usual dose of the fuckening might have to remain on IG but let’s see. We are going to start with a documentary, one that can and does offer a different perspective on Israel & Palestine to what you are being shown on the capitalist propaganda networks. Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land is a 2004 documentary by Sut Jhally and Bathsheba Ratzkoff which—according to the film's official website—"provides a striking comparison of U.S. and international media coverage of the crisis in the Middle East, zeroing in on how structural distortions in U.S. coverage have reinforced false perceptions of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict" and which "analyzes and explains how—through the use of language, framing and context—the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza remains hidden in the news media". The film argues that the influence of pro-Israel media watchdog groups, such as CAMERA and Honest Reporting, has led to distorted and pro-Israel media reports. It features Noam Chomsky, Robert Jensen, Hanan Ashrawi, Sam Husseini, and Robert Fisk, among others.
Again, sticking to the concept of Abuse and Power, here is a clip from the current President of the USA from a few years ago.
If you want to dig a lot deeper into Colonialism, Empires, Michael Parenti is your man. I can’t think of anyone as apt, poignant and brilliant in his analysis to help understand our current reality.
Following, here are two suggestions for your weekend to enjoy, that have little to do with the above subject, but are most definitely worth your time. This is a most excellent documentary on the collapse of the Soviet Union, Estonian as a matter of fact with great analysis and heaps of original visuals.
I am throwing Kate Tempest in here because, fuck, she is probably one of the best poets of our life time. Always mind blowing, always brilliant.
One other important little spoken about fact I want to address here, for personal reasons because I use the damn service as well as your interest: I am deleting Whatsapp come the 15th of this month and I only recommend you do the same. Reason being is that Whatsapp Parent Company FACEBOOK has changed their terms and conditions, especially in regards to, you guessed, your data. Of Course. I have linked an article to this tweet explaining all the details, courses of actions and alternatives to Whatsapp. If you are used to texting me on that app, you can find me on Telegram.
Without further ado, here is some of the fuckening and hot shots for you.